The Cabins at Alert Bay

10/12/2026

To all our guests and friends, we hope this long weekend brings rest, good food, and time with the people who matter most. We love this reminder from U’mista, there is something special about learning our Kwak̓wala words for the things that bring us together around the table. 🍂

10/03/2026

🍂 Picture this: a long weekend on Cormorant Island cozied up in your “home away from home” enjoying the crisp autumn air, and a full turkey dinner made in your own Cabin kitchen.

At The Cabins At Alert Bay, every Cabin comes fully equipped, so if you are the kind of person who really enjoys Thanksgiving hosting, you have everything you need to make it happen. Bring your roasting pan, your family recipes, and whoever you want to share it with. 🦃

After dinner, walk off the meal along the waterfront, take in the autumn light on the forest trails, or settle in by the electric fireplace with a warm tea and nowhere to be. October on the North Island is beautiful in a quiet and relaxing way that is hard to find anywhere else this time of year.

If you have been thinking about trying something a little different this year, we’re here for you. 🌿

📞 1-250-974-7900
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

̱mg̱is

09/27/2026

🧡 Join us Monday, September 28 for Orange Shirt Day in ‘Ya̱lis.

We look forward to standing alongside the community in honouring Survivors, remembering loved ones, and reflecting on the ongoing journey of reconciliation.

Join us in ‘Ya̱lis for Orange Shirt Day on Monday, September 28. 🧡🪶

The community gathering will include a welcoming, mourning songs, blanketing ceremony, luncheon, dialogue on Denialism, cultural sharing, and closing. Our goal is to empower our youth and community, uplift Survivors, and honour loved ones who have passed on.

📅 Monday, September 28, 2026
📍 'Ya̱lis (Alert Bay)

9:30 am -- Walk begins at the BC Ferries Terminal
10:00 am -- Arrive at Gukwdzi (Big House)
10:30 am -- Welcoming and Ceremony
12:00 noon -- Lunch
1:00 to 2:30 pm -- Ceremony and Speeches

Organized by Ne'nagwa̱'nakwa̱la (Going Home), with partners: U'mista Cultural Centre, 'Na̱mg̱is First Nation, Nawalakw, Whe-La-La-U Area Council Society, Village of Alert Bay, K’wak’walat’si Child and Family Services, and 'Na̱mg̱is Health Centre.

Everyone is welcome.

This event is made possible with support from Canadian Heritage and First Peoples Cultural Council. G̱ilakas'la to all who have made it possible. 👐

̱ka̱wakw

09/25/2026

🍂 Happy Autumn from Alert Bay Cabins!

This week marks another turn of the seasons, and ‘Ya̱lis (Cormorant Island) invites you to come for a visit this fall.

Autumn on the North Island means misty mornings over the Broughton Strait, eagles perching in tall trees, refreshing forest walks, and perfect calm evenings that call for cozy nights in with , a warm beverage and tasty snack in your hands. The Cabins are designed for your comfort with electric fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens, your own private deck, and a soft bed that makes it very hard to leave in the morning.

If you have been thinking about an Alert Bay getaway, shoulder season is a special time to visit, offering a pace that actually lets you exhale. 🌿

Come for the quiet. Stay for everything else.

➡️ www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

̱mg̱is

09/17/2026

🚢 15 BC Ferries Facts - Port McNeill ↔️ Alert Bay:

Act like a local with these Ferry Facts!

- Ferry Name: Island Aurora
- Capacity: 47 vehicles, 399 passengers
- Sailing time: approximately 45 minutes
- Frequency: 6 sailings daily
- BC resident seniors 65+ travel FREE Monday to Thursday, excluding statutory holidays (passenger fare only, vehicle fare not included)
- This is a non-reservable route
- Arrive at least 20 to 30 minutes before your sailing
- Check-in and ticket sales close 5 minutes before departure for both foot passengers and vehicles
- Pay one way only – the return sailing is free
- Experience Card holders receive discounted fares
- Dangerous cargo sailings occur every second Tuesday – confirm before travelling on a Tuesday
- All sailings run directly between Port McNeill and Alert Bay, with two exceptions: the last evening sailing to Alert Bay and the first Sunday morning sailing from Alert Bay both stop at Sointula first
- Passenger lounge on the main deck includes comfortable seating, accessible washrooms, vending machines, and charging outlets
- Pet area available on the outside main deck

If you’re really lucky, you may be parked with a window view to enjoy front row ocean scenery from the comfort of your own car!

Either way, we recommend you get out and stretch your legs for views of mountains, forest, open water. Keep your eyes open for orcas, humpbacks, and some of the numerous migrating and local bird species. A short ferry “cruise” is a great way to kick off your time on the island, and the Cabins at Alert Bay can’t wait to greet you once you arrive!

Check in, drop your bags, and start exploring at your own pace. The Village has everything you need for a few days away, and there is no shortage of things to discover whether you are here for a weekend or a week. 🌊

➡️ www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

̱mg̱is

09/11/2026

As we begin to feel the first touches of fall in the air, Alert Bay takes on a different kind of beauty. Crisp mornings, colourful forests, peaceful shorelines, and quieter days make autumn one of the best times to experience island life.

Whether you're looking for a weekend getaway, a remote work retreat, or simply a chance to slow down and recharge, The Cabins at Alert Bay offer a comfortable home base for exploring the island at your own pace.

Enjoy:
🌊 Ocean surroundings and fresh coastal air
🥾 Scenic walks and wild natural shorelines
🍁 A slower pace after the summer rush
🏡 Cozy cabins with everything you need to relax

Fall availability is now open, and it's a wonderful time to visit before winter arrives.

🛌 Book your stay today:
www.TheCabinsAtAlertBay.ca

We look forward to welcoming you this fall. 🍂

09/02/2026

🌸 A little community love behind the flowers on the boardwalk.

If you have walked Alert Bay's boardwalk lately and stopped to admire the flowers, the Gumboot Gardeners deserve the credit! This wonderful group of ladies volunteer their time and effort to keep the boardwalk blooming, and The Cabins at Alert Bay is proud to support their work by donating bottle deposits to help fund the plantings.

It is a small contribution to something that makes a big difference to the feel of the village, and a great example of the kind of community spirit that makes Alert Bay such a special place to visit and to live. 🌺

A special mention to Margaret Harvey, one of our own Cabins team members, who is among the dedicated volunteers giving their time to keep things beautiful.

Next time you walk the boardwalk, take a moment to appreciate the effort that goes into it.

➡️ www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

̱mg̱is

08/25/2026

🌅 In Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw creation stories, T'łisala - the Sun - is believed to be a man who came from the heavens to earth to become the first ancestor to a number of Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw clans. One legend says he “walks across the heavens” each day from east to west wearing abalone-shell earrings, and as he travels his daily path, his earrings catch the light and give daylight to the world.

Watching T'łisala complete his journey for the day over Broughton Strait in Alert Bay can be jaw-dropping.

How to see it: The front road (Fir St.) along the waterfront is where you want to be. Face west and you will have an open view across the Strait as the sky turns. On a clear summer evening the colours are nearly impossible to describe. Bring something warm for a cool evening on the beach, and give yourself time to take it all in - you’ll be glad you did.

Source: U'mista Cultural Society, Living Tradition - The Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw Potlatch on the Northwest Coast. www.umistapotlatch.ca

➡️ www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

̱ka̱wakw ̱mg̱is

08/19/2026

🎣 Did you know you can fish right off the dock in Alert Bay?

The waters around ‘Ya̱lis (Cormorant Island) are rich with salmon, halibut, rockfish, and more, and one of the simplest pleasures of a stay here is dropping a line off the dock with a calm summer breeze. You don't need a boat or a guide, although there are many great fishing charters available. All you need is a valid fishing licence, a bit of gear, and some patience.

A saltwater fishing licence is required and can be purchased quickly and easily online through the Department of Fisheries and Oceans website. It's worth checking the current openings and species restrictions for the area at the same time, as regulations can change through the season.

➡️ Purchase your licence at: www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

It is a genuinely lovely way to spend an evening on the island, with the strait stretching out in front of you and the forest behind. Whether you catch anything or not becomes beside the point. 🌿

➡️ www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

📸Photo Robin Quirk, Robin’s Eye Photography
Featured in North Island Eagle, August 2026

̱mg̱is

08/14/2026

☀️ A great getaway with all the comforts of home at The Cabins at Alert Bay.

Each of our 14 cabins is fully equipped with everything you need to settle in and feel at home. A fully equipped kitchen means you can cook your own meals, grab supplies from ShopRite Grocery on your way to checking in, or keep things simple with takeout from one of the local spots in town. The electric fireplace takes the edge off a cool evening, the private deck is yours to sit on as long as you like, and the comfortable beds with cozy duvets are waiting when you are ready.

BBQ and laundry facilities are available on site, high speed internet keeps you connected if you need it, and the covered outdoor pavilion is a great spot to gather if you are travelling with family or a group. Everything is taken care of so you can focus on actually enjoying where you are. 🌿

Room types range from a cozy single cabin to a two bedroom option that sleeps up to six, so whether you are travelling solo, as a couple, or with family, there is a cabin that fits.

➡️ www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

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